Month: September 2024

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, along with other MLAs and members of the Aam aadmi party, including former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Delhi Minister Gopal Rai inspected the condition of roads in the national capital on Monday.

She inspected the condition of roads in the Okhla area of the national capital.

This is part of the Delhi government’s road assessment and repair plan.

Delhi Chief Minister had announced that various Aam Aadmi Party ministers have been assigned responsibility for different road areas in the city.

Atishi will oversee South and South East Delhi, Saurabh Bharadwaj is in charge of East Delhi, Gopal Rai handles North East Delhi, Imran Hussain manages Central and New Delhi, Kailash Gehlot is responsible for South West Delhi and Outer Delhi, while Mukesh Shehrawat oversees North West Delhi.

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal inspected several roads along with Atishi, and asserted to have a report prepared of all the roads under the PWD. The AAP supremo also handed over a letter to Atishi in the state assembly urging immediate repair for the damaged roads.

Speaking to the media, after inspection of the condition of roads in Okhla area, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said, “For two days, Arvind Kejriwal and I inspected the roads of Delhi and found that the condition of roads is very bad… Arvind Kejriwal has given a call to all the party MLAs and ministers to work towards restoring the roads of Delhi at the earliest. Every inch of the 1400 km stretched PWD roads will be inspected. In the next three to four months, all roads will be restored. We will try to give pothole-free roads to the people of Delhi by Diwali. The opposition did everything it could to stop us from working. Now that Arvind Kejriwal is out from the jail and we will work under his guidance”.

Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia inspected the condition of roads in the Patparganj area of Delhi.

“On the instructions of Arvind Kejriwal, I and Saurabh Bharadwaj inspected a few roads of Delhi. We observed that many roads were in a bad condition. In some places, work was going on and the road had been dug up for the last 7-8 months. Potholes have been left open in some places. We will work on it and the roads will be renovated. BJP has destroyed all the roads of Delhi to trouble the people of Delhi… Now that Arvind Kejriwal is back, all the pending work will be completed quickly… Arvind Kejriwal has instructed the CM as well as all ministers to work on a war footing and work on the conditions of roads in Delhi,” Sisodia said while speaking to the media.

Gopal Rai, who inspected the condition of roads in the Babarpur area (North East Delhi), while speaking to the media said that the condition of roads has worsened after Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was sent to jail.

“After the rains in Delhi, potholes have formed on the roads everywhere. Ever since they put Arvind Kejriwal in jail, the condition of Delhi’s roads has worsened. We ourselves decided that we will inspect the roads and get them repaired as soon as possible,” Gopal Rai said, while speaking to the media.

Earlier, the former CM assured residents that the halted work would resume, referencing the delay that occurred during his recent jail term. Kejriwal called for a city-wise assesment of roads, and said that all legislators and ministers would participate in the inspection, and repairs of roads within the next two to three days.

“I visited DU with Atishi yesterday as well. The road was damaged. Today, we have come here. So, I would like to urge Atishi to have an assessment of all the PWD roads in Delhi in the next 3-4 days. All our MLAs and ministers will hit the road and have this assessment. Repair work on all the roads that are damaged will be done on war-footing in the next few months so that people face do not face any problems. I was in jail and that is why they stopped a lot of works but I would like to assure the people that I am here. All halted works will resume,” Kejriwal said while speaking to the media. (ANI)

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In a significant announcement, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that the esteemed Dadasaheb Phalke Award will be presented to legendary actor Mithun Chakraborty.

The award recognizes his remarkable contribution to Indian cinema and will be bestowed during the 70th National Film Awards ceremony on October 8, 2024.

Ashwini Vaishnaw shared the news on his official X account, stating, “Mithun Da’s remarkable cinematic journey inspires generations! Honoured to announce that the Dadasaheb Phalke Selection Jury has decided to award legendary actor, Sh. Mithun Chakraborty Ji for his iconic contribution to Indian Cinema.”

Recently, Mithun Chakraborty was also awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan, further solidifying his status as one of the most celebrated figures in Indian cinema.

Fondly referred to as ‘Mithun Da’ by his fans, he made his film debut in 1976 with ‘Mrigayaa’, captivating audiences with his versatile acting skills ever since.

Mithun’s initial portrayal of a Santhal rebel earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor in his debut film.

He later received two additional National Film Awards for his performances in ‘Tahader Katha’ (1992) and ‘Swami Vivekananda’ (1998).

Beyond his acting prowess, Mithun also made a significant mark in the music industry with his electrifying dance numbers, including hits like ‘I Am a Disco Dancer,’ ‘Jimmy Jimmy,’ and ‘Super Dancer.’

These tracks have become iconic and remain beloved by fans across generations.

Most recently, Mithun Chakraborty appeared in Vivek Agnihotri’s critically acclaimed film ‘The Kashmir Files’. (ANI)

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Wanted for alleged money laundering charges, controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has arrived in Pakistan on Monday morning at the invitation of the Government of Pakistan, amid tight security for his lecture series at Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.

According to the Express Tribune, he is set to have public interactions across the country. He is accompanied by his son, Fariq Naik, who is an Islamic scholar and will tour the country with him for the lectures.

Upon his arrival at the New Islamabad Airport, he was received by leaders from the top echelons of the Pakistan government, which included the Chairman of the Pakistan Prime Minister’s Youth Program, Rana Mashhood and Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Syed Atta-ur-Rehman, as reported by the Tribune.

Official sources note that his month-long tour will include meetings with senior government officials and involve participation in various public events.

In a post on X, Zakir Naik’s team announced,” On the invitation of the Government of Pakistan Dr Zakir Naik & Shaikh Fariq Naik’s Pakistan Tour 2024 Public Talks: Karachi – 5th & 6th Oct Lahore – 12th & 13th Oct Islamabad – 19th & 20th Oct.”

Earlier on August 20, while on a visit to India, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that if sufficient evidence is presented in the case related to fugitive preacher Zakir Naik then the country will ‘not condone terrorism’.

Addressing the 50th Sapru House Lecture the Malaysian Prime Minister said, “I am talking about sentiment of extremism, of compelling case, evidence that suggest that atrocities committed by an individual, group or factions or parties. These are of concern to us.”

Zakir Naik is known for his inflammatory speeches and is currently wanted by the National Investigation Agency of the Government of India under a 2016 money laundering case. He is also alleged to have incited people by his hate speech.

Naik runs a channel by the name PeaceTV, which is banned across India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka due to its controversial nature and he has also been denied entry into Canada and the United Kingdom because of it. (ANI)

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Mahendragarh (Haryana) [India], September 29 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a rally in Nangal Chaudhry Assembly on Sunday, took a jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of being a “factory of lies” regarding the Agnipath scheme.

Shah urged the people not to trust Gandhi, claiming that he misrepresented the scheme aimed at keeping the army young.

Addressing a rally in Haryana’s Mahendragarh, Shah said, “Rahul Baba is saying that the youth of Haryana will become unemployed due to Agniveer. Bharosa mat karna, ye jhut bolne ki factory hai (Don’t trust him; he’s a factory of lies). He doesn’t even understand the Agniveer scheme. Agniveer is a programme to keep our army young.”

Notably, Rahul Gandhi had during the 2024 Lok Sabha election opposed the Agniveer scheme and said that Congress would scrap the Agnipath scheme in case the INDIA bloc is voted to power. The Congress leader had also demanded compensation for 1.5 lakh youths who completed the Army recruitment process.

In response, Shah assured that Agniveers would be provided with pensionable jobs by both the Haryana and Central governments.

“I promise you today that any Agniveer who invests Rs 25-30 lakh in FD (fixed deposit) and returns will be given a pensionable job by the Haryana and Central governments,” Shah stated.

Targeting Congress over its stance on the One Rank, One Pension scheme, Shah questioned, “Who are you inciting? Your government was in power for 40 years, but you did not implement One Rank, One Pension.”

Shah also accused Congress of running a corrupt regime in Haryana, claiming that during its rule, the state was dominated by “dealers, brokers, and sons-in-law.”

“This Congress government is one of Dalal (brokers), dealers and damaad (sons-in-law). The Congress party has worked to give the farmers’ land in Haryana at throwaway prices to their sons-in-law, and today they talk about farmers,” he said.

Shah further criticized the previous Congress government in Haryana, saying, “On one hand, 10 years of Congress rule meant 10 years of family and son-in-law welfare, loot, and the humiliation of Dalits and backward classes. On the other hand, 10 years of BJP rule have been 10 years of youth development, good governance, and progress for 36 communities.”

Haryana will go to the polls on October 5 to elect its 90-member state legislative assembly, with counting set to take place on October 8. In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party, securing 40 seats, while Congress won 30 seats. (ANI)

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Veteran actor Rekha made the IIFA 2024 night even more memorable as she left the audience amazed with her graceful performance, bringing a special energy to the event.

The actress, who once again proved that age is just a number, wore a beautiful Anarkali dress and looked as elegant as ever as she performed alongside a group of dancers for over 20 minutes.

The official Instagram page of IIFA shared glimpses from her performance, taking fans on a nostalgic journey to her golden days in cinema.

The second day of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards 2024 was a star-studded affair, held in Abu Dhabi. Bollywood’s biggest celebrities graced the event, including icons like Hema Malini, Rekha, superstar Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Vicky Kaushal, Shahid Kapoor, and Kriti Sanon.

One of the major highlights of the night was Shah Rukh Khan, who not only hosted the event but also entertained the audience with his signature charm. Joining him on stage were Vicky Kaushal and Karan Johar, and together, they gave an electrifying performance on Shah Rukh’s hit song “Jhoome Jo Pathaan.”

The three-day celebration kick-started on September 27 with IIFA Utsavam, an event dedicated to the southern film industries–Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.

IIFA 2024 will be concluded on September 29 with the exclusive, invitation-only IIFA Rocks. Artists such as Honey Singh, Shilpa Rao and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy will perform live for the audience. (ANI)

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Bollywood’s iconic ‘Dream Girl,’ Hema Malini, was honoured with the Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema award at the IIFA Awards 2024 in Abu Dhabi.

Best known for her timeless performances, Hema Malini has etched every role she’s played into the hearts of her audience. The award was presented to her by none other than superstar Shah Rukh Khan. The two also shared a sweet hug on stage.

The actor-turned-politician played a major role in launching Shah Rukh Khan’s Bollywood career. In 1992, she cast him as the lead in her directorial debut, Dil Aashna Hai. Although Dil Aashna Hai was not his first film to release (as Deewana released earlier that year), it was Hema Malini who gave him his first big break in a leading role.

The official Instagram page of IIFA shared beautiful glimpses of Hema Malini receiving the award from Shah Rukh Khan. Their beautiful bond was on full display, making the moment even more special for fans.

The second day of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards 2024 was a star-studded affair, held in Abu Dhabi. Bollywood’s biggest celebrities graced the event, including icons like Hema Malini, Rekha, superstar Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Vicky Kaushal, Shahid Kapoor, and Kriti Sanon.

One of the major highlights of the night was Shah Rukh Khan, who not only hosted the event but also entertained the audience with his signature charm. Joining him on stage were Vicky Kaushal and Karan Johar, and together, they gave an electrifying performance on Shah Rukh’s hit song “Jhoome Jo Pathaan.”

The three-day celebration kick-started on September 27 with IIFA Utsavam, an event dedicated to the southern film industries–Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.

IIFA 2024 will be concluded on September 29 with the exclusive, invitation-only IIFA Rocks. Artists such as Honey Singh, Shilpa Rao and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy will perform live for the audience. (ANI)

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Making Sunday extra special like always, megastar Amitabh Bachchan stepped outside to meet his fans.

For his latest Sunday darshan, Big B wore his signature white kurta-pyjama that he teamed up with a multi-coloured jacket and matching head accessory.

Every Sunday, hundreds of fans gather outside Amitabh Bachchan’s residence to get a glimpse of the megastar, and from the past over 40 years, the ‘Sholay’ star has been making sure to meet them.

Big B always goes barefoot to meet his fans. Earlier, in one of the blog posts, he explained the reason behind this.

He wrote, “some sarcastically commented on a few occasions .. ‘who goes out wearing socks and bare feet’ .. I say ..’I DO’ ! .. you got a problem with that !!?? ‘You go to the temple bare feet .. my well wishers are my temple !!'”

Meanwhile, on the work front, Amitabh was seen in the futuristic film ‘Kalki 2898 AD.’

Ever since ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ was released, fans and the film industry have been gushing over the performances and the appreciation has been pouring in for the cast and team of the film from every corner.

Directed by Nag Ashwin, the post-apocalyptic film was inspired by Hindu scriptures and was set in 2898 AD.

Deepika Padukone, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas and Disha Patani were also part of the film.

The film was a mythology-inspired sci-fi extravaganza set in the future. Actors Vijay Deverakonda, Dulquer Salmaan and Mrunal Thakur had cameos in the film.

Apart from this, Amitabh Bachchan is busy shooting for ‘Vettaiyan’, which also stars Rajinikanth. (ANI)

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Javed Beigh, a political activist from Jammu and Kashmir, criticised Pakistan, particularly in light of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent comments as he raked up the Kashmir bogey in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly once again.

Beigh accused Pakistan of peddling misinformation on global platforms and highlighted the contrast between the situations in Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB).

In an interview to ANI after his participation in the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Beigh expressed frustration at Pakistan’s decades-long narrative on Kashmir, calling it a reflection of Pakistan’s deeper political dysfunction.

Beigh did not mince words when he referred to Pakistan as a “failed state,” under the control of its military and intelligence agencies rather than its elected leadership. He questioned the legitimacy of Prime Minister Sharif’s government, stating, “It’s not the people of Pakistan speaking. It’s the establishment.” According to Beigh, Pakistan’s leadership has misled its own citizens and the global community for decades regarding Jammu and Kashmir.

Beigh stressed that despite the lies peddled by Pakistan, the PoGB and PoJK areas rightfully belong to India.

“In 1947, my ancestors signed the instrument of accession with the idea of India. This is authentic, it’s on paper,” Beigh said, underscoring that these territories have been under illegal Pakistani occupation for decades.

He also emphasised the strategic importance of these regions for India, particularly PoGB. Beigh pointed out that regaining control of these areas would sever the land connection between Pakistan and China and open access to Central Asia via the Wakhan Corridor.

He stated that the return of POGB and POJK is essential for India’s vision of becoming a “Vishwaguru” and achieving the dream of a developed nation, “Viksit Bharat.”

Beigh drew a stark contrast between the youth of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and those in POJK. While Kashmiri Muslims in India are emerging as international representatives in fields like sports, education, and cultural diplomacy, Pakistan, he claimed, continues to radicalize the youth of POJK, using them as cannon fodder in its proxy war against India.

“The difference between these two parts is clear,” Beigh told ANI.

“On one side, Kashmiri youth are showcasing Kashmir’s rich heritage and culture on global platforms. On the other side, Pakistan is using misguided youth in PoJK, sending them as terrorists to kill innocents in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

Meanwhile, Beigh cited a recent incident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, where Pakistani-sponsored terrorists killed innocent pilgrims, including a 2-year-old child, a 23-year-old woman, and a 77-year-old elderly man. Beigh condemned Pakistan’s continued use of terrorism as a tool, contrasting it with the positive contributions of Kashmiri youth in India to the global stage.

Beigh also urged the global community to recognize Pakistan’s mistreatment of Kashmiris under its control.

“I urge world communities to wake up to this mistreatment of Kashmiris in Pakistan, to these human rights violations done by the Pakistani establishment,” he stated, calling for a more honest and informed discussion on the realities faced by people in POJK and POGB.

Beigh’s comments come at a crucial time, as peaceful elections in Jammu and Kashmir reflect a shift in the region’s political landscape, further debunking Pakistan’s narrative of unrest and instability.

Earlier on Friday, Sharif in his address to the UNGA said that India should reverse the Abrogation of Article 370 and enter into a dialogue with Pakistan for “peaceful” resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue.

“Let me state in no uncertain terms, Pakistan will respond most decisively to any Indian aggression, therefore, to secure durable peace, India must reverse the unilateral and illegal measures it has taken since 5th of August 2019 and enter into a dialogue for a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people,” he claimed.

Shehbaz Sharif claimed that India was “engaged in massive expansion of its military capabilities,” which are essentially deployed against Pakistan.

In a strong rebuttal to allegations made by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his address at UNGA, the First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, Bhavika Mangalanandan highlighted that Pakistan had used “terrorism to disrupt elections in Jammu and Kashmir.”

“The truth is that Pakistan covets our territory and has continuously used terrorism to disrupt elections in Jammu and Kashmir, an inalienable and integral part of India. A reference has been made to some proposals of strategic restraint,” she said.

The Indian diplomat called out Pakistan’s “hypocrisy” for raking up Kashmir and questioning the Jammu and Kashmir election in India’s Right to Reply at the UNGA session, and also brought up the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament.

“Pakistan has long employed cross-border terrorism as a weapon against its neighbours,” Mangalanandan stated. “It has attacked our parliament, our financial capital Mumbai, marketplaces, and pilgrimage routes. The list is long,” she added.

India has already made it clear after the Pulwama attack in 2019 that it wants normal bilateral ties with Pakistan, adding that it is incumbent upon them to create a conducive environment free from terrorism and hostilities.

India has also provided evidence at various international forums of Pakistan’s support for terrorist groups. (ANI)

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DMK leader V Senthil Balaji was sworn in as minister in the Chief Minister MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government on Sunday, along with three other MLAs, as part of the party’s major reshuffle.

Along with Balaji, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MLAs, Govi Chezhiaan, R. Rajendran, and SM Nasar were administered oaths by Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi.

CM Stalin was present at the event held at Raj Bhavan today.

As per an official release, Senthil Balaji will handle the work in Electricity and Non-Conventional Energy Development, Prohibition & Excise.

Govi Chezihaan has been inducted as Minister for Higher Education, R. Rajendran as Minister for Tourism, and SM Nasar as Minister for Minorities Welfare and Non-Resident Tamils Welfare.

Earlier on September 26, Senthil Balaji walked out of Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai after the Supreme Court granted him bail in a money laundering case linked to the ‘Cash for Jobs’ scam.

Udhayanidhi Stalin did not take oath at the event because he was already a cabinet minister before his elevation to the number-2 post in the Tamil Nadu government after Chief Minister.

He was elevated as the Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday. Earlier, he was serving as the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development. He will also take on the portfolio of Planning and Development in addition to his existing responsibilities.

Udhayanidhi Stalin said on Sunday that he hopes his work before justifies the decision to elevate him to Deputy CM.

“Last night, the Chief Minister gave me an additional charge, announcing me as the Deputy Chief Minister. Four new ministers are taking oath today and I wish them all the best. I express my gratitude to the Chief Minister. This is not a position but an additional responsibility, my thanks to all who have expressed their wishes,” he said.

Earlier, Tamil Nadu BJP state president Narayanan Thirupathy criticised the recent cabinet reshuffle of the state government and Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s elevation as Deputy Chief Minister.

In a self-made video, the BJP leader said that Udhayanidhi Stalin does not have the “maturity” to hold the post of a minister, let alone be the Deputy CM.

Additionally, DMK MP Kanimozhi replied to the criticism of choosing Udhayanidhi Stalin as the Dy CM, saying that the opposition parties should not question the CM Stalin’s decision as he has been voted to power. (ANI)

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A day after top Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an airstrike, the Israel military said on Sunday that it has eliminated another senior Hezbollah official, Nabil Qaouk, in a precise airstrike.

Qaouk was a commander of Hezbollah’s Preventative Security Unit and a member of their Executive Council.

The IDF rolled out the announcement of his elimination on X on Sunday, and wrote: “ELIMINATED: The Commander of Hezbollah’s Preventative Security Unit and a member of their Executive Council, Nabil Qaouk, was eliminated in a precise IDF strike.”

Qaouk, notably joined Hezbollah in the 1980s and was regarded as an important source of expertise in his field.

“Qaouk was close to Hezbollah’s senior commanders and was directly engaged in terrorist attacks against the State of Israel and its citizens. He joined Hezbollah in the 1980s and was regarded as an important source of expertise in his field, having served as the Deputy Commander of the southern region on the Operational Council, Commander of the southern region and Deputy Commander of the Operational Council,” the IDF further stated.

The Israeli military further said that it “will continue to strike and eliminate the commanders within the Hezbollah terrorist organisation” and will act against “anyone who threatens the citizens of the State of Israel.”

Notably, Hezbollah has officially acknowledged the death of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, following Israeli strikes in Beirut.

Hezbollah said on Saturday that its leader, Nasrallah, “has joined his fellow martyrs.” The group also vowed that it would “continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine,” Al Jazeera reported.

The Israeli Defence Forces launched precision strikes on the Lebanese capital in Beirut on Friday, which led to the death of Nasrallah. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that the airstrikes targeting Hassan Nasrallah resulted in civilian casualties, with at least six people killed and dozens injured.

Following the death of Nasrallah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning to Iran’s Ayatollah regime and asserted that those who target Israel will face ‘consequences’ and that “no location” in Iran or the Middle East is “beyond Israel’s reach.”

Netanyahu called Nasrallah as “main engine of Iran’s axis of evil” and added, “Nasrallah was not just another terrorist, he was the terrorist. He was the axis of the axis, the main engine of Iran’s axis of evil. He and his people were the architects of the plan to destroy Israel. He was not only operated by Iran, he also frequently operated Iran.”

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) also eliminated senior Hezbollah intelligence array terrorist Hassan Khalil Yassin in the precision strike in the Dahieh district in Beirut on Saturday, the military reported, according to a report by the Jerusalem Post.

United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres has expressed concern over the rising violence in the Middle East, urging all sides to halt the cycle of violence immediately.

The remarks by Guterres follow Israeli airstrikes in Beirut that led to the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Sharing a post on X, Guterres said, “I’m gravely concerned by the dramatic escalation of events in Beirut in the last 24 hours. This cycle of violence must stop now. All sides must step back from the brink.”

“The people of Lebanon, the people of Israel, as well as the wider region, cannot afford an all-out war,” he added. (ANI)

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